UW Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (DFMCH) physicians Dr. James Bigham and Dr. Patricia Tellez-Girón Salazar were recently honored for their dedication to advancing family medicine and health equity at the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians (WAFP) Annual Business Meeting.
James Bigham, MD, MPH, FAAFP
James Bigham, MD, MPH, was named Family Physician of the Year. Bigham’s innovative approach to preventive care and his unwavering dedication to the community have set him apart as a leader in family medicine. His work emphasizes the importance of integrating public health initiatives into practice, including firearm safety and suicide prevention. Now in its third year, Bigham’s firearm injury prevention course for medical students, residents, and health care providers is a testament to the power of working with community members to create a safer and more inclusive space for all.
“This award highlights the essence of family medicine: we seamlessly intertwine patient-centered clinical care with culturally humble community engagement,” said Bigham. “I recognize that this honor would not be possible without the amazing support of DFMCH, and I am grateful to be part of this outstanding team of thoughtful and gifted healers. Daily, I am inspired by the compassionate care our team provides to the patients who entrust us with their care. Thank you for showing me the way!”
Patricia Tellez-Girón Salazar, MD
Patricia Tellez-Girón Salazar, MD, received the Family Medicine Educator of the Year award. She is a leader in medical education, especially as a mentor for underrepresented students. Her advocacy for advancing health equity and her dedication to nurturing future family physicians are key to her role as a faculty lead for the Enhancing Representation to Improve Our Community’s Health (EnRICH) program at DFMCH. EnRICH provides mentorship and primary care experiences to increase the number of physicians representing diverse patient populations. Additionally, she serves as a role model for students as part of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) Building Equitable Access to Mentorship (BEAM) program, fostering a supportive community of diverse faculty and learners.
Tellez-Girón Salazar credits her ability to guide students from diverse backgrounds to the support she receives from her family, clinic staff, university partners, and department leadership. “I share this award with all my mentees (my pollitos), my patients, and my community. Their resilience and amazing life stories have taught me more over the years than I have been able to teach them,” she said. Tellez-Girón Salazar also acknowledged support from Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, MD, CDM, associate dean for the Office of Diversity and Equity Transformation at SMPH, and Manuel Santiago, EdM, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at SMPH. “Their partnership and genuine interest in supporting all of our students are remarkable and should be commended,” she added.
According to DFMCH Chair Dave Rakel, MD, the recognition by WAFP is testament to hard work, devotion, and the positive impact Bigham and Tellez-Girón Salazar have made on their patients, students, and the broader community.
“It’s a proud moment for our department to have both Dr. Bigham and Dr. Tellez-Girón Salazar recognized by the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians for their outstanding work in the same year,” said Rakel. “These honors reflect their incredible dedication and the excellence of our faculty.”
The WAFP has been recognizing outstanding family physicians since 1982 and exceptional family medicine educators since 1983. These awards are integral to WAFP’s mission to promote excellence and equity in health for all people in Wisconsin through the advancement of the art and science of family medicine.
Published: March 2025